Tips to Prevent Pests from Entering Your Home This Fall Season

We welcome the slow crawl of cool weather as the summer season ends and the fall season begins. While we enjoy the perfect fall weather outside, other pesky creatures are already starting to make their way into our homes.

Pests usually start to find shelter from the cold as soon as the fall weather creeps in. Though most people believe that their homes are more prone to pests during the warm season, the truth is, pests like mice and cockroaches are just as eager to find shelter during the fall season. In fact, some pests tend to become even more active during the colder months. Your home becomes the ideal place for pests to find shelter and food, as they prepare for hibernation during the winter months.

What Pests Are Most Active During Fall?

In the same way that your home becomes a cozy shelter to you during fall, it’s also the perfect place for pests to hide. Some of the most common pests that become more active during the fall season are ants, cockroaches, rodents, raccoons, and more. To make matters worse, fall is usually the mating season for most pests, making them even more likely to find their way into your home.

Prevention is key to keeping your home pest-free during the fall season. Texas’ leading pest control expert, Anytime Pest Elimination, is pleased to share some tips to help you prevent pests from entering your home during this time of the year. 

Tip #1: Seal All Possible Entry Points to Your Home

Install screens on your doors and windows. These are your main entry points and if left open and unattended, can be the easiest way for pests to enter your home. Make sure to inspect your property from any possible ground entry points and seal all cracks and crevices around your home using caulk and steel wool. You should also consider blocking crawl spaces and attics, where pests like to nest and raise their young.

Tip #2: Check for Leaks, Moisture Spots, and Stagnant Water

Pipe leaks and moisture spots can weaken your home’s walls and foundations. Such weak points make it easier for pests to make their way into your home. Moist areas, blocked drains, and stagnant water are also good spots for pests to live and breed. Make sure to find the source of the leak or moisture and remove it as quickly as possible. Wet areas, especially those that are dark and moist, can attract a lot of pests just as much as they attract fungi like molds and mildew. 

Tip #3: Keep Your Home and Landscaping Clean

Keeping your property clean and free of trash, vegetation, and other clutter is an important part of keeping your home pest-free. Unkempt landscaping makes it easier for pests to move around your property and ultimately find their way into your home. If you see any signs of possible pest infestation while cleaning your property, seek the help of a professional pest control company to properly diagnose and treat the affected area as soon as possible.

Tip #4: Dispose of Your Garbage Properly

Keeping your garbage bins tightly sealed may help prevent pests from roaming around your property. Pests are attracted to food and garbage, so keeping your property free from trash will help keep them at bay. You should also take into consideration that even compost piles can attract pests like raccoons, rats, and rodents. When you dispose of your trash, make sure to place it in designated areas away from your house’s exterior walls and foundations.

Tip #5: Make Sure You Don’t Bring Pests In

Check your shoes, boxes, furniture, or anything that you bring into your home before letting them in. These items may be infested with pests like cockroaches, ants, and mice. If possible, place your items outside for a couple of days before bringing them into your home to ensure that they are pest-free. If you cannot avoid bringing them in, make sure to clean, disinfect, and sanitize them thoroughly before allowing them into your home.

Tip #6: Call the Professionals to Help Inspect and Pest-Proof Your Home

One of the most common pests that are very active in the fall is rodents. Mice, rats, and even squirrels are known to leave their nests in search of new shelter during this time of the year. Rodents multiply very quickly, so if you suspect any possible rodent infestation within your home, make sure to contact an expert pest control company like Anytime Pest Elimination as soon as possible.